July 4 - July 7 Boulder and Denver

Our time in Colorado was spent with our friends, Erin and Drew, and with Lynnelle's cousins: Jan and Bob, their daughter Alissa, her husband Eric and their daughter Kyla. Luna loved meeting her cousin...


...and her toys. "Mommy, can we keep him?"

"Holy Playroom, Batman!"

Luna is still learning "gentle."

"Wow, this is AWESOME!"

Storytime back at Erin and Drew's.

Erin is Education Director at Thorne Ecological Institute in Boulder. It is a really wonderful organization that teaches kids AND adults about their connection to nature and ecosystems. We were lucky enough to see Erin at work on the first day of camp. Here, she is leading 5 and 6 year olds through an activity that helps them learn how important food, water, shelter AND space are for living things to thrive.

Erin is the predator trying to catch a "frog" who falls off the lily pad because there isn't room for all of them on the one that is left.

"Wow, look at all the things we found that live in this small stream!" This is a great experience for these kids. It's too bad everyone doesn't go through training like this.

The Flatirons.

"What's up, mom?" Thanks again to Erin and Drew's friends for letting us borrow the baby back pack. It was great. Of course, now we HAVE to get one.

"Cheese!"

Jan and Bob got us AMAZING seats (thanks again!!) for a Rockies game. We were 9 rows up from the dugout on the first base side of the field.

"What did I miss?"

"Garlic fries or Rockies Dog...or both?"

"Enough! No more pictures of my beautifulness right now!"

Kyla is sporting her new Rockies hat.

Look how close we are to the field. Oh ya, the clouds were cool, too.

Another family portrait!

Back in Boulder for lunch.

"I'm gonna have the curry."

We had lunch at the Boulder-Dushanbe Teahouse. If you are ever there, you MUST eat at this restaurant. It is beautifully decorated, and the food is outstanding.

Our last night in Boulder...it was hard to leave. We had such a good time. Here we are playing around and keeping Erin and Drew up way too late on a work night.

July 4: Kremling, CO to Boulder, CO via Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)

On our way into Boulder we drove through Rocky Mountain National Park. We had a little bit of everything weather-wise and got out for several small "hikes" with the girl. The park was gorgeous and we look forward to heading back again for some more serious hiking when Luna's a bit older!

Luna & Brian as we entered the park

Luna enjoyed the time out of her car seat.

(note the 4 top teeth and 2 bottom teeth!)
Being silly while hiking with mommy

Elk - our first wildlife sighting in the park

Some of our nicer weather

Moose sighting!

We encountered a serious rain/hail storm as we reached the highest part of the park

Mommy & Daddy

Wow!

Our last stop of the day: Bear Lake
Dad at Bear Lake

July 3: Ogden, UT through Wyoming to Kremling, CO

We woke up early on the 3rd and headed for Colorado via Wyoming. The scenery as well as our wonderful child continues to amaze us. She's doing great; eating yogurt, playing with mommy or daddy, reading books, and singing or squealing in between naps and play stops.

I swear the first 15 miles into Wyoming were littered with fireworks advertisements and shops. Here was our favorite. Mommy dedicates this photo to Oma. :-)

Wide open, gorgeous skies. Imagine a day full of views like this.

We're finally in Colorado!

Luna, your mommy and Aunt Emily were here at this very spot on bicycles 9 years ago! Can you believe it?

Daddy's beautiful girls.

Here is the ridge right outside of town. It's hard to make them out, but there are some trucks on the far right of the picture up on the ridge. We're guessing this is the prime fireworks launching or watching site.

Trying to decide the route for the following day, Miss Luna thought she would share her opinion. "Daddy, show me again the way you are thinking about driving."

"I'm telling you Luna; this is the best way to go."

"You're nuts Daddy. Seriously, that is NOT the route we should take."

"Get out of my way! I'll show you which way to go! Sheesh!"

"Mommy, raise my arms so they can see the peace sign on my shirt. Hee hee."

Who do you have to know to get a Blackhawk put in the park by your school?"

Okay, this last one's for you Uncle Bob. Lovely downtown Kremling! We saw a Lake Bob, too, but we weren't able to get a picture of it.

We arrived in Boulder on July 4th. Sorry, we just haven't had time to get all the pictures up. We're not staying still very long these days. We have great pictures of our distant Colorado cousins and the Colorado Rockies game we went to and Rocky Mountain National Park AND our friends Erin and Drew who let us stay with them 4 whole days! We love you Erin and Drew. Thanks so much for your hospitality.